In Eyes So Blue | Part 3/3

[redkislington]

When Adam woke up the next day, there was no sign of Kris. Adam groaned and rolled onto his back, cursing the universe over and over again for not helping. He wanted to just have something good happen to him, for once; after all the crap he’s been through didn’t he deserve a little of a happy ending?

He jumped when something crashed in the bathroom, and looked up. The door was hanging open, and when he leaned forward a little, he saw Kris standing at the counter, his hands gripping it tight. Adam got out of the bed, then peered through the door way, and he was shocked.

Kris looked…different. He almost looked like he was glowing, and his lips looked pink and swollen, like he’d been kissing for hours before then, and his brown eyes were lined with what appeared to be eyeliner.

Not just that, Kris was already dressed in a tight tee that clung to his muscles and curves, and tight jeans. Adam quickly looked up from Kris’ ass to see him still staring into the mirror. “Kris?”

“Uh.” Kris grunted unintelligibly. He ran his hands up along his eye, smearing the eyeliner, than blinked owlishly when the black smear disappeared, going back to the perfect, smoky rings around his eyes.

“You guys are going to love me, seriously, I…um…” Matt looked between the two of them, holding a wide box of pastries in his arms, then finally stared at Kris for a moment before his face cleared. “Oh, oh dude, this is it.” When Kris looked back at him in the mirror with a mix of confusion and lingering shock, Matt grinned and nodded over to Adam. “The claiming, who your mom is, Aphrodite.”

And… now that makes sense. Adam looked over Kris again - avoiding looking at his backside, knowing Kris would catch him if he stared anymore - then grinned when Kris’s lips curled a little before he frowned. “Wait, how long am I going to be like this?”

Matt shrugged. “At least a week.”

Kris groaned and looked up to the sky for a moment, then turned toward Adam, pouting - and dear gods, that face was killer, Adam had to grab onto the wall to keep from toppling over when his knees went weak because Kris’s face was just... - Adam looked after Kris as he walked out, flushing a pretty pink and Adam groaned internally. He was going to be dead by the end of the week...

They were halfway to Tucson when Matt started snoring in the backseat. Adam glanced away from the scenery outside the window to Kris’s profile, swallowing thickly when a pair of brown eyes glanced over to meet his for a second. Kris grinned, then flushed and concentrated hard on the road.

Adam cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “So…” He whispered, for the sake of their privacy more than disturbing Matt. “Are you sure about…about what happened last night? With us?”

Kris tinged a slightly darker pink, but he was grinning. “Yeah.” He reached a hand away from the wheel to grab Adam’s hand, squeezing it. “I knew I liked guys for a while. Seeing so many of them all sweaty and running around shirtless, it’s hard not to know…” Adam tensed just a little, feeling a flare of jealousy. Kris, just laughed at him quietly. “But I’ve never felt this way for any of them. There’s something about you that I just…click with, you know?”

Thinking back to his first night at the camp, Kris there by his bed when he woke up, being so caring and amazing to him, the way they just…clicked, just like Kris said. He smiled. “Yeah…I know.”

Kris beamed, then slowly unlaced their fingers, his pinky clinging for a second before he reluctantly pulled away to wrap his hand back around the wheel. “So…what now?”

Adam glanced back at Matt, then leaned toward Kris, keeping an eye on the road as he whispered in his ear, ready to take the wheel, just in case. “Just thinking, when we stop to rest tonight, we should try to find some alone time to…help each other figure this out.”

Kris swallowed, his dark-lined eyes widening and hand slipping on the wheel, causing them to slip to the side of the road for a moment before Adam took control and straightened them out for long enough for Kris to get control of himself again.

When he did, Kris glared over at him, shifting uncomfortably in his seat and fixing the crotch of his jeans when Adam pulled away. “That was messed up. I hate you so much right now.”

Adam chuckled softly. “Really? Doesn’t look like it from where I’m looking,” he muttered, eyeing the bulge in Kris’ jeans with interest. He shuddered when Kris moaned, and looked up, seeing those usual light brown eyes darkened with lust.

“Probably shouldn’t stare at me like that while I’m driving.”

“Good point.” Adam sucked in a breath, then forced his eyes away from him. It wasn’t long before he was back to staring over at Kris, and he flushed when Kris caught his gaze. They both laughed lightly before Kris focused back on the road and Adam scrambled in his pockets for his iPod.

“I, um…I’m going to try and sleep a bit, if that’s…” He trailed off, watching Kris nod, then settled back in the seat. “Will you wake me up when we get there…?”

Kris smiled softly. “Yeah. Will do.” He reached over to give Adam’s hand a light squeeze, then Adam curled up as best he could in the seat, facing the window as he slipped his ear buds on. There was absolutely no way he was going to be sleeping, but at least he could maybe work out a few…issues in his head before they ran into something else.

“Alright, so…” Adam looked around the museum, trying to see anything that looked like that marble Matt had earlier. “What do we do if it’s not here?”

Kris flinched as he looked over the map he’d picked up when they first got in. “I…I don’t know.” He glanced back to Matt, who was hobbling toward them.

Matt sighed. “We’ll figure something out.” He peered over Kris’s shoulder at the map, then followed after Kris when he suddenly started over to one of the hallways.

Adam followed them slowly, looking around at everything, feeling like something was pulling him. He frowned, but followed after that feeling, until he was standing there in the same room with Kris and Matt, staring up at a statue that they'd overlooked. He glanced over it then stopped when he saw it. “I think I found it.”

Kris was beside him first, staring up at the sword the statue was holding, smiling when he saw the small, blue-green marble at the end of the handle. “Awesome.” He looked around, his smile falling a little. “I don't know how were going to get it without...”

Adam looked down at Kris as he trailed off, face scrunching up for a moment before he handed the map off to Matt. “I'll be right back.”

Adam glanced around at the security around the room, biting his lip and looking back up at the pearl, wondering how whatever Kris was off doing was going to help.

Just like that, though, Kris was back, grinning widely with a tall, professional looking woman walking after him. The woman quickly rounded up the confused security, and Kris just bounced on his heels, grinning. “Um...” Adam watched as Kris climbed up onto the statue base and looked over it for the easiest way to get to the pearl. “What did you just do? And how?”

Kris chuckled. “Let's just say it was a little gift from my mama.” He looked up again then settled his hand into the grove of the sandal laces on the statue's leg. “I'll go get it and you catch me, kay?”

Adam, still feeling a little confused, nodded and moved so he was under the pearl. Kris climbed up the statue with surprising grace, moving efficiently and smoothly until he was dangling from the statue's hand, twisting out the pearl.

“Ha!” Kris yanked back, and Adam had a heart attack when he finally pulled the pearl free. He tucked it into the pocket of his over shirt - which at one point was plaid, but only a few seconds after he pulled it on he was enveloped in a soft pink smoke, and he came out with a normal, dark green shirt and as a very grumpy Kris. Kris looked down, then grinned at Adam before he dropped down.

Adam caught him, then gasped softly as Kris's arm curled around the back of his neck, his soft, full lips curling into a soft smile. Adam shuddered when he looked back up from Kris's lips only to catch Kris staring at his mouth. He wanted... maybe just a little kiss wouldn't be so...

“Um.” Matt spoke up, maybe a little too loud, and Adam jumped and put Kris down, absolutely not smiling at the way Kris was blushing. Matt looked between the two of them, looking a little bit surprised and attempting to restrain himself from laughing. “So, where are we going next?”

“Um...” Kris's face scrunched up and he moved over to Matt to glance over the map again. Adam followed after, looking over Kris' shoulder, ignoring the look Matt gave them again when he rested his hand against Kris' side and looked over it with them. Nothing really stuck out to him, exactly. Judging from the silence from the other two, they were the same.

“Maybe we should just keep going to L.A.” He shrugged when they both looked back to him. “I mean, we could find another one on the way. Just staying here trying to figure out where to go next isn't going to help.”

“Kay.” Kris looked up at Adam, letting Matt fold up the map. “We might be able to make it to Phoenix before it gets dark. We should get going now.”

“Yeah.” Matt drawled, staring over at the two of them. “So...you two seem to be getting along.”

Kris flushed again and laughed, leaning into Adam. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Adam glanced down at Kris, then smiled as he saw Kris grinning down at him. Matt cleared his throat and shifted on his crutches. “Well, whatever's going on between you two, save it until this quest is finished, okay?”

Kris hummed, sounding a little, annoyed almost. He watched Matt hobble away, then huffed, looking up at Adam. “Of course, this quest comes first.” He frowned. “Not even a 'hey, good job guys, happy for you' no.”

Adam laughed and curled an arm around Kris' waist, feeling that tension that'd been there just a few moments before melt almost instantly. Though he did agree on some level; Matt was their friend. Shouldn't he be a little supportive instead of just brushing it off? “Come on.” He pulled Kris a few steps until Kris started moving with him. “We'll make out a little bit before we go.”

Kris grinned and started moving a little faster. “Awesome.”

Adam had to agree, especially when Kris turned on him as soon as they were out of the building, and hiked himself up onto Adam and pressed their mouths together.

Ohgodimgonnadieohshitohfuckohimsogonnadie

Adam sucked in a breath, clear to his toes, trying to breathe because he felt like he wasn't getting enough air. He laughed hollowly, feeling his bones rattle as the earth shuddered beneath him, a deafening smash sounding behind him. Not that breathing was going to be that much of an issue in a few moments.

He didn't remember much of what happened. Mostly, he was just about having a heart attack as he was woken up, Kris yelling at him and pushing him out of the truck, and then he was running for a bit and he heard the truck behind punted away, then watched it sailing through the sky.

It was around that time that he was separated from Kris and he still didn't know where Matt was.

Adam froze as there was another earth-shaking step right beside him, making the building he was hiding behind shudder dangerously. He scrambled for his pocket, pulling out the pen and uncapping it, then swallowed when he heard the monster hiss. He slowly turned his head, and drew in a sharp breath when he saw the scaled, insanely huge, clawed foot just a few feet away. Following it up to five long necks with snake-like heads on top, that were looking in all directions for him and Kris.

He heard the monster make a clicking noise, then one of the heads ducked down, searching through the alley across form him and...

He took off, and heard hissing behind him, and he could feel the force of all five of those huge heads rocketing down the alley, stopping just behind him, just out of reach. He kept running, and he heard another click just before he heard the sound of something disintegrating, melting under something corrosive. He turned his head and his feet stuttered under him when he saw the brick wall beside him melting away, breaking down into nothing. Great. It could could spit acid, too. Awesome.

Adam turned the corner and ran right into someone, sending them both sprawling back. He scrambled back around the wall, hoping that the monster wasn't fast so he could at least rest of gather his wits enough to come up with someway of getting out of this alive so he could find Kris and make sure he was okay.

Kris rubbed his head as he sat up from the ground, but he looked relieved, seeing Adam. “You're okay.” He smiled, wide and bright like Kris always smiled, then the earth trembled underneath them again and Kris scrambled onto his feet. “So, um, any ideas?”

Adam paused a moment, then lifted the sword in his hand. “Stab it?”

Kris grimaced, then his expression brightened after a moment. “What about Medusa's...oh.” His expression fell again. “Crap.”

Adam flinched, that was probably still back in the truck, which had flown off god knows where. He swallowed. “Um...” The earth shook again and he glanced around, then saw it. Maybe if I could...

He concentrated for a moment, watching the cement buckle around the pipe outside the building, then cracks following it underground until he saw the monster, right there, then concentrated the pressure right beneath it and imagined something like a massive spring trap under it, water forcing upward and propelling the block of pavement above it and the monster sky high. He grinned as he heard a surprised screech and the rush of water, then grabbed at Kris. Maybe if they back tracked they could find it, or at least lose the giant lizard.

They ran down the street for a while, stumbling when the earth moved beneath them enough to throw them. Adam glanced back, only to see a very pissed off looking monster that was staring right at them. They were just getting out of the city when he heard the monster hissing, low and deep just like...shit. “Move!” He pushed Kris to the side, and jumped aside.

Not in time, though. He cried out as something burned his side, his arm and leg getting caught in the acidic burn, too. He collapsed, pain rippling through him everywhere, tears welling up in his eyes from it. He could barely feel Kris lifting him up through the burning, pulling him away slowly. We're not going to make it...

'Don't give up, Adam...'

That voice from...from back at camp, when the minotaur attacked. Adam grimaced and glanced over to Kris to see maybe if he heard it, too, but it didn't seem that way. He frowned and stared down at the ground, absolutely not looking at the way one of his legs was bright red and swollen, the denim over it burned away in splotches. He scoffed at the voice. This situation wasn't exactly ideal for positivity, given that they were going to die in about two seconds.

'Don't underestimate yourself.' The booming voice echoed. There was a long pause then he spoke again. 'You're my son, you can get through this Adam. Just think.'

Adam stumbled, mouth dropping open. He had to be going crazy. The near death crap was getting to his head. Yeah, that was it...but the insane voice had a point. He bit his lip, then glanced back. The monster was following them now, its five heads almost grinning at him. He looked even further back, seeing the water still streaming over the ground, then with just a thought of it, the water surged up, expanding and growing under it was almost like a tidal wave, then when the monster open his mouth he concentrated all of his energy into it, then grinned when the water smacked the head back. He closed his eyes, trying to pull it down, and just a second later the earth shook beneath them again, and he looked back to see a band of water around three of the necks, pulling it back, seemingly hardened to the point that the lashing the monster did had no effect.

Then he was just...down. All his energy gone and Kris stumbled around, trying to get their balance back. “Shit. Adam, you alright?”

“I'm fine.” Adam groaned. “aside from suckin' at this demi-god thing...”

Kris frowned, then tugged them over just enough to take cover behind a some brush by the road. He gently set Adam down, then grimaced at his burns. “This...crap, Adam...I don't know what to do...”

Adam chuckled softly, glancing over the brush to see the monster struggling to get up. Maybe the least he could do is make enough time for Kris to get away... “So...you should make a break for it, try to get away while I try to hold it off.”

He heard Kris make an odd noise, and when he turned to look back at him Kris was glaring at him, looking a little bit offended. “I'm not going to leave you here alone.” He shook his head firmly, reaching for Adam's hand and squeezing it tight. “No way. It's not happening. Ever.”

Adam smiled tightly, then sighed. “At least we can try to hold it off until it-ow.” He stopped as Kris elbowed him, grinning suddenly. “What?”

Kris laughed lightly, then pointed out to a figure in the distance, running a little... odd, like he had a limp but he was moving... Adam squinted. “Is that...Matt?”

Kris laughed again. “With a little something we can use to get past this thing.”

Adam did notice that wrapped up ball in his hands and it took him a moment to realize what it was. “Medusa? Well...part of Medusa?”

“Yep.” He moved a little bit as Matt skidded to a stop in front of them, panting. He didn't have his shoes on anymore; just the jeans over his lower half, the hooves showing underneath.

“Okay, okay. I'm here. I'm just gonna say that I am so freakin sorry for not showing up sooner but I couldn't find this damn thing.” He grimaced as he tapped the ball of cloth. “You guys alright?”

Adam shifted a little then grimaced. “Mostly.” He glanced back to the monster, that was now staggering up, dazed, one of the heads still coughing up water. “So, any plans of how to do this?”

Matt nodded. “I can just get its attention and then all I have to do is pull this away and the Phoenix should have a nice big statue right outside of it.”

Kris frowned. “You sure?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I can probably move out of the way faster than either of you right now and someone needs to stay here to watch Adam.” He grinned. “I think Adam would appreciate you with him more.” With a wink he hopped out, picking his way through the weeds and rocks of the desert quickly.

Adam leaned over to watch, making sure Matt would be alright. He smiled softly when he felt Kris's hand squeeze his again, then relaxed a little when the monster froze, its scales turning into stone. Kris was quiet for a few moments then he gasped. “Adam, look. The eye on that one there.”

Adam turned around, looking where Kris was pointing, then grinned. While the rest of the heads had fully turned to stone, but one, which looked like a small, blue-green marble in the stone. “Lucky us.”

Adam stood up, seeing Matt wrapping the head back up with a grimace. Adam pulled Kris up and out of the bush, then limped over to Matt. He nodded up at the pearl, then looked up. “Now, how do we get it down?” He pressed lightly against the scales and winced. “This is going to suck climbing up.”

Matt looked over Adam. “I think you should go to the water first.” When Adam gave him an odd look he shrugged. “You feel better in the water. Maybe it'll help you with your injuries.”

Adam nodded slowly, then, with Kris's help, moved slowly to the water poured all over the streets. He gasped as he stepped into it, watching it crawl up his leg, red, inflamed skin fading back into pale skin and freckles. “Holy shit...” He laughed suddenly, watching it go the rest of the way, wrapping around his waist and over his shoulder and back down his arm.

Kris let out a surprised laugh, then looked back to the monster statue. “So, any ideas?” He looked down to the water. “Like maybe how you pulled it down before?”

“Maybe...” Adam looked up at it for a moment then concentrated. He felt cold wetness snaking up behind him, then it wrapped around the neck, pulling back and firming around it before the head snapped back and crashed against the road a few feet in front of them. The pearl bounced away, eventually rolling and stopping in front of him.

Adam grinned and picked it up, rolling it in his hand for a moment before he looked over at Matt, who was walking toward them. “So, now how're we getting to L.A.?”

Matt's face scrunched up in thought, and he was just opening his mouth to speak when he looked up and his jaw dropped. Adam blinked. “What?” He turned and stared when he saw a black, winged-horse flying toward them; a Pegasus, he knew that, at least. He watched it land a few feet in front of him, and then watched it bow in its own way.

It lifted its head up, and it seemed like it was smiling at him. He could hear it talking to him, like Poseidon did. “You need to get somewhere, and we're here to help.”

Then the horse nodded its head up to the sky and two others where swooping down - one white, one a soft tan color - and the black one turned back to him. “The big boss sent us to help.”

Adam smiled a little at that; he may have been a little late about it, but at least he was helping, even if it was with something that Adam was just a mere part of. He slowly reached out to it, gently petting its nose, and the Pegasus butted his hand, making a soft neighing noise before he strutted forward a few steps and turned, nodding his head for Adam to get on. Adam swallowed; he'd never even gotten close to riding a normal horse, or seeing one. Riding a winged-horse was probably going to be so much harder, but he had to at this point. There was no stopping now.

Sucking in a deep breath, Adam pulled himself up and wobbled a little bit before steadying himself and looking at Kris. Kris looked skeptical, staring at the white Pegasus like it was going to bite him. “They're here to help.” Kris looked up and arched a brow. Adam shrugged. “They're from...um…my-my dad...”

“And you know this how?”

Adam flushed. “I can kind of...understand them?”

Kris paused for a moment then shook his head, laughing slightly. “I just saw you healed by water. I'm not going to start questioning things now.” He hesitated then jumped up onto it-after a false start and the white horse ducked down with a snicker. Kris held his hands out awkwardly in front of him then dropped them to his sides. “All I can do is charm people and get all gussied up against my will when my mama claims me. You can talk to horses and use water as a lethal weapon.” He grinned crookedly. “Makes me kind of jealous.”

Adam laughed lightly, then stopped and turned when Matt cleared his throat. He saw the satyr sitting awkwardly on the Pegasus-and wasn't that an odd visual-and just rolled his eyes at the knowing grin Matt was giving them. “Kay. Let's get going then.”

“Hold on.” The Pegasus's voice echoed in his head again before they started galloping off and they were in the air. He held on, arms around the strong neck, and sucked in a deep breath; the being in the air thing wasn't so nice, but the view was amazing. He could already see the tall buildings and beaches of L.A.

Now, came the hard part.



“This is...creepy...”

Adam felt like he'd just been transported to some horror movie. The building they'd landed outside of was apparently the entrance to the Underworld. It made sense why the building was eerie.

The inside wasn't much better. The broken windows and dark, burnt walls looked even more frightening from the inside, and the peeling wallpaper and cobwebs all over made it worse. In the back was an old, rusty, steel lift that looked like it would break apart at the slightest touch and cause them to tumble down the shaft to their doom.

“Yeah,” Kris muttered. “Really pleasant.” He sighed and walked back to the lift, putting a hand on the doors gently before pushing them apart. “Only one way down.”

Matt followed after Kris a little more readily, while Adam hesitated. Falling down an elevator shaft to his death wasn't exactly the way he wanted to end his day, especially considering how much he'd done without dying so far. With a sigh, he checked his pocket for the pearl and rolled it in his fingers before he stepped in and the doors snapped shut behind him.

The floor lurched under them, and he clutched at the wall, Kris's hand curling around his waist just as quickly. They looked at each other for a second, and then next they were rocketing down, flying past so much dark earth until dim light broke, and they smacked into the bottom. Adam's bones rattled in his legs and he stumbled, hitting the doors for a moment and pulling back as he felt them opening under him.

The Underworld was dark, with thick, gray smoke curling up over black water. A tall, ghostly pale man in black robes was waiting by a black boat, watching them with unblinking eyes.

Kris drew in a breath. “Charon.” He looked up at Adam. “The ferryman for souls in hell.”

Adam looked back at the man; that sounded like exactly the person they wanted to hitch a ride with. He sighed and looked to Kris. “Okay. How do we get to Hades, then?”

Kris shrugged and they both looked to Matt. Matt hesitated for a moment, then his expression lightened a bit, and he pulled of his sneaker. He reached inside, pulling away a foam block with a hoof-shaped hole, and then pulled out a small coin purse, grinning. “Anoop gave this to me before we left. He said we'd never know when we'd need it.” He pulled out several large, golden coins before he kicked off the other sneaker and moved toward Charon.

Kris gripped Adam's hand, before reluctantly following, pulling Adam with him. Matt handed the coins over to him, and the man silently stared at them for a few moments before nodding his head to the boat and snatching the coins from Matt's hand.

The ride was long, winding, feeling as if they were just going in circles along the river. Adam looked out at the black nothingness, staring down miles below at the screaming and moaning souls, the water path thin and swirling around the boat. He glanced back at Kris, who was staring around in a mix of awe and fear as if he was worried that he might be joining them. Adam could understand that feeling since it could very well happen at any moment.

He was startled when the boat stopped, and looked up to Charon. A single eyebrow arched at him and he scrambled out of the boat onto solid ground. Kris and Matt tumbled out beside him and he looked up into the dark cave-like hall. Glancing back, he saw that Charon and the ferry were already long gone, and that only left them one way left to go. “Time to go down the dark, scary hallway, I guess.”

Kris squeezed his hand and the three of them were off, wandering down the hall for what felt like forever. It didn't seem like they were making any progress with everything looking the same. After some hours of wandering, Adam noticed trees littering the way; willow branches stretching out over their heads. Everything looked a little more sinister with the pitch-black shadows they cast over the already black ground, and the soft rustling sounds of the leaves sounded so empty and hollow it almost felt like a physical pain in his heart to hear it.

He squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed, then shuddered when he heard a bone-rumbling growl. He opened his eyes, but didn't see anything. At least he knew what it was coming from, not that it made him feel any better. Expecting to see a giant, three headed dog ready to tear him apart made him just want to turn around and run, even if it meant having to go back through that dark river.

The growls followed them, and after a few hours, they started to fade off, without any sight of Cerberus. In the distance, they saw a huge, black castle with flames rising up in different areas. It looked almost regal, huge and elegant, just tarnished and burnt from so much darkness. “That must be it...” Kris muttered, his voice sounding a little uneven.

Adam nodded. “Yeah...” They continued on toward it. “So, what's the plan here? We just go in and ask him nicely to give back Zeus' lightning?”

Matt grimaced. “Probably not the best way to approach it.”

“So what do we do?” Kris looked up. “He's a god, I can't exactly charm him into giving it to us, and...” He trailed off, all of them stopping when they heard something creaking, breaking apart above them. “Shit...” The ceiling crackled again, and Adam tugged them forward, the three of them running as rock and earth from above fell just behind them.

Adam thought they were safe, almost within arms reach of Hades' palace when there was a loud groaning noise, like the earth was falling in on itself above them, buckling and collapsing. Then he heard the scream and froze when Kris's hand fell out of his.

No. No, no, no no no! Adam spun around, and he felt sick, empty and hollow with only that sick feeling in him. What he hoped not to see was there before him. Kris was laying on the ground, struggling to breathe or move or anything with the giant stone crushing most of him. There was red on Kris's lips, and on his fingers where he was scrabbling at the rock, trying to move it without any hope.

“Kris. No. No...Kris...” He collapsed near Kris' body under the stone, reaching for his hand that had gotten cold. He pushed against the rock with all his might, but it didn’t budge. “Fuck, Kris, I'll...I'll get you out, somehow, you're gonna be alright...”

Kris let out a wheezing laugh and shook his head. “No, Adam...” He croaked, staring up at him with half-lidded eyes. He smiled lightly, lifting a hand up slowly to wipe at Adam's face. “Come on...you have to go. You have to finish...”

No, I can't... “I'm not leaving you!” He gritted his teeth and pushed with all his weight, watching as Kris got whiter and whiter, the redness darkening, black against his skin, his breaths were more labored and almost sounding like there was water in his lungs. “I...I can't...I can't just leave you here...”

His vision blurred for a moment before he blinked and hot tears trailed down his cheeks. Kris just shook his head, and grabbed the back of his neck in a loose grip, pulling him down slowly to press their mouths together. “You can...I'll...I'll be just fine. Just...just go.”

Adam heard Kris draw in one last deep breath, before his eyes closed, and his skin turned ice-cold in his hand. No...No. this isn't happening! Not after everything, not this! Adam heard an almost whistling sound, blowing loud and harsh in his ears, and then he could hear the moans from the souls that they were passing above before. Hades. Adam frowned and looked up at Matt, who was standing there with a devastated look on his face, like he was unsure of what to do. Adam... Adam knew exactly what he was going to do. He was going to save Kris. Fuck this stupid quest, Kris wasn't going to die.

“Hades!”

Adam strode into the dark, barely-lit room in the palace, two thrones sitting up on a pedestal with a smirking man in the one made of bone and black. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, and his black hair was short and cropped. When he spoke, he had this smug, British accent that made Adam's teeth clench. “Ah, Adam. To what do I owe this-”

Adam growled. “You know what the hell I'm here for.” He moved out from under Matt's grip-the grip that he'd somehow kept the entire way through the palace-and got up closer to the god. “Bring back Kris.”

Hades stared up at him, smile gone, and then he sighed. “If you have something you can give me in return, sure. I'll give you Kris.”

“My soul,” he said, automatically, ignoring Matt's warnings behind him. “I don't care about this stupid quest anymore. I barely cared in the first place. This whole...demigod thing? It's fucked my life up so much, even before I knew I was one.” He looked over to glare at Matt, who wasn't hissing warnings at him anymore, now silent and with a guilty look on his face. “Put into a crappy life to protect what I am? Not even telling me about it until I'm ripped out of that life into this?” He laughed hollowly. “Kris…he...he seemed to be the only person who gave a damn about me. Who cared about who I am and not what I am, and who cared about how I felt, the one person who I felt like I could talk to...without having to wonder if they're just humoring me because I'm this...this freak of nature.” He brushed a hand at his face, roughing drying away the sudden tears running down his cheeks, and glare down at the god again. “So, anything I could give you, if it saves Kris, whatever. You can take anything, even my soul. I don't care. It's not like my life has been worth anything until someone needed me to do this.”

“Adam...it's not...”

Matt trailed off when Adam glared at him again, and he stepped back a bit. Adam looked back down at Hades, taking in the look of consideration on his face.

Hades sighed after a moment and shook his head. He narrowed his eyes at Adam. “What I will take is my helm back.” When Adam didn't move, Hades huffed. “My helm, which you stole.”

Adam frowned. “I didn't steal anything.” He narrowed his eyes at the god. “I don't have your...your helm or whatever is it.” He glared for a moment before he looked over him. “You have that lightning bolt, anyway. What do you need that helm for?”

Hades laughed, hollowly. “I don't have the bolt.” He looked over Adam. “Though it is interesting to find that it's missing.” He leaned back in his throne, slow smile curling his lips. “How about this; you get my helm and give me Zeus' bolt and I'll let him free.”

“Adam, you can't-”

“Fine.” Adam nodded, ignoring Matt behind him. “Whatever gives me Kris.”

Hades grinned. “I'll send you off then. I expect you back soon, Adam.”

Adam felt an odd, lifting sensation starting in his stomach, then everything went dark for a moment, and next thing he knew, he was in some other big city. They were no longer in L.A. He heard Matt behind him, groaning. “Adam, you...you can't do this.”

“Matt, just...just shut up.” Adam grimaced and looked around, trying to find somewhere to start looking. “You've already made enough decisions for 'my well-being'. You're not going to talk me out of this.”

Matt was quiet for a while, and then he sighed. “Fine, whatever, just...” He waved Adam off with a frown. “I'll leave. You obviously don't want me here.” He paused, hooves scuffing the ground for a moment before he spoke up again. “We didn't mean for things to turn out the way they did, Adam. We had no idea any of that was going on, to that extent.” Adam turned toward him, seeing Matt shaking his head, looking unbelievably guilty and sad. “We knew you were different from the others. We didn't know how; we just knew we had to keep out as far out of this world as possible until you were ready.” He shrugged. “Lea and Cody were as far as we could get.”

Adam shook his head and turned away again. Something caught his eye and he squinted. Was that...no. Couldn't be. Shaking himself, Adam sighed. “Just...leave, Matt.” He glanced back, still keeping an eye on the figure he thought he saw turning around the corner. “I'm not going to say I'm not going to forgive you, because you did at least help me a little when I was going through with that, you made it a bit more bearable, but... right now I need...I need Kris.”

Matt just silently nodding and Adam heard him walking away. With a breath, he followed after the figure. He had to think that maybe Hades sent him here for a reason; it wasn't exactly the same place they came in, not even close. It didn't even look like L.A. anymore.

He turned the corner around the building then, stopped, realizing this was a kid from the camp. Someone familiar.

“The guy who left barely came back alive, too, but...” Kris' face scrunched up, like he was laboring to remember something. “I think his name is Danny, or something...”

“You're...” Adam's brow furrowed and the kid turned toward him, scowling a little bit, gripping onto a large bag like his life depended on it. “You're that one guy, Danny, the one that came back from the other...quest-thing...” He blinked. “Why are you here?”

Danny grimaced and squeezed the bag tighter, then backed up, and Adam thought he saw the bag spark for a second. Thunder boomed above them, dark clouds roiling through the darkening blue sky. That feeling from back in the museum hit him again, everything just drawing him to the bag, but when he stepped closer to Danny, he shot back, eyes wild behind neon green frames.

He has it, the bolt, he has what I need to help Kris, to save him...

“Danny...” Adam tried to keep his breath steady as he watched Danny. “You have the bolt...don't you?”

Danny's eyes narrowed. “What do you care about the bolt?” He clutched the bag tighter, then he grinned. “You didn't even want to do this quest.”

“It's not about that stupid quest anymore.” He growled, and it only too a second before a wave flung itself over Adam's head and knocked Danny on his back, sputtering. Adam grabbed the bag up, and instantly he felt electricity running through him, bright and alive.

He did a quick look inside the bag and grinned when he saw a metal cylinder, the inside sparking and crackling and a completely black cap. You'll be alright soon, Kris. I promise...

He was just turning around to find a way back to Hades when something smashed into his back. Adam stumbled, instinctively gripping the bag tighter and turned. Danny frowned at him, stumbling back a few steps from where he rammed into Adam, and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could get a word out, Adam sent another wall of water to ram him down, making it thicken and harden so it kept on pushing him, and he walked out.

'Adam. Don't do this.'

Adam grimaced at Poseidon's voice, then shook his head. He needed to do this for Kris. He needed Kris.

'Adam, don't trust Hades. He won't help.'

And you will? he thought, continuing to walk down the street looking for where ever they came from, to see if there was any place back. What do you care about my wants or needs? You weren't there before. Was it your idea to send Matt and Anoop to lie to me for my protection? Did you know what was going on?

He ignored the small little voice telling him that arguing with a god was probably not the wisest thing. He needed to vent, and if he couldn't do that in his own head, he didn't want to be in this world anymore.

Poseidon sighed. I care for you very much, Adam. It's just...it's impossible for us to connect with our children. There are very few ways to contact you, and I'm doing the best I can, but I am watching over you. What happened in that house, I had no control over. It was just as painful having to watch you go through that as it was for you to experience. I am sorry, Adam.

There was a pause, and Adam let out a sigh, thinking he was done. He didn't want to hear anymore, just hearing that he...he didn't want to hear that he knew the entire time, and couldn't do anything.

Then he spoke again. I can possibly find a way to help you with Kris. Adam stopped, clutching the bag tighter. You care about him a lot, Adam, and it really does pain me to see you forced into this. If I can give you anything to make up for it, I think giving you Kris back is it.

Adam thought for a moment, then shook his head. How do I know you're not lying to me? What if you just want this stupid bolt back and don't help Kris?

Poseidon made a soft, wounded noise. I know you don't trust me, Adam, but please. Trust me on this.

Adam took a moment, feeling shaken, then he nodded. Okay, then where do I have to go to bring this back?

His father let out a breath. Come to Olympus. The Empire State Building, six-hundredth floor. Show the guard the bolt and he'll let you through.

Adam blinked, wanting to argue that there was no way there could be that many floors, but his voice had already faded. Adam let out a breath and looked around, trying to see where they were. He recognized some buildings, and Broadway posters and grinned. New York...

He set off down the streets, keeping an eye out for the building, weaving in and out of groups of people. He grinned when he saw the iconic skyscraper, and set off at a run. When he burst into the lobby, he saw one guard standing next to an unused elevator, the group of people in the room packing into the other and going up. Okay, so, I'd say that'd be the secret entrance to Olympus.

Adam took a deep breath, then opened the bag, pulling out the bolt just enough to show the guard. The guard looked over him and the bolt, then his eyes widened and he gave Adam a small key card. “Just, put it in the security slot and it'll send you right up.”

Adam nodded, gripping the card like it was his last lifeline, and moved into the elevator. He pressed the card into the slot, and watched as a panel fell away and a button labeled '600' lit up. Adam took a breath, then another, and pressed it down, then waited. Adam held on to the railing as it lurched, then shuddered, and then he felt like he was being shoved through the floor when it started rocketing up. And up, and up, and up.

Adam stumbled when the elevator stopped, then the doors opened, and he gaped. In front of him was a narrow stone pathway, clouds swirling all around, and further along the stone shifted to elegant white marble, and further along than that, the marble steps met a snowy mountain peak, with no mountain to attach to. There were palaces and mansions and golds and silvers and flowing whites without a speck of dust or a blemish of black.

He wandered through up the pathway, then through the streets, people bustling and moving all around him, all dressed in pristine white robes and almost glittering. Kris needs to see this...

He smiled softly, then moved the rest of the way up to the very top of the mountain.

He stopped again, and stared some more. The throne room was huge, and he swallowed when some of the huge, towering people-gods, and goddesses, right there, they were real. He didn't believe in any of this stuff until a few weeks ago and this was still rocking him to the core. There was one god that did stick out to him, and he was smiling at him from across the room. He had reddish-blond hair, like Adam's natural color, and the same, blue eyes as he did. Despite never remembering seeing his father, or his mother, and only ever remembering Lea and Cody as his parents-if they could called that-Adam felt nostalgic and happy, as if he was seeing someone again after not seeing them for a very long time. He huffed and brushed the forming tears out of his eyes and held the bolt in the bag as he walked out into the center of the room, feeling small and nervous.

Adam looked to the god sitting next to Poseidon, with dark hair and eyes and looking, bored almost as he watched Adam cross the room. He arched a brow as Adam pulled out the bolt, leaning forward in this throne, and when he spoke he had a British accent that reflected his attitude. “So, you're the one who stole my bolt, and you're bringing it back to me, now?”

Adam shook his head, glancing over at Poseidon, whose smile had faded. “I never took it in the first place.” He looked back up at Zeus. “It was another demigod, Danny. He stole Hades’ helm, too.”

Zeus looked over him for a few moments, then huffed and took the bolt, dropping it out of the cylinder into his hand and Adam watched as it expanded from the tiny size it was, now about half as tall as the gods, and about as thick as Adam. “Daniel...Hermes’s child.” He looked up at another of the gods in the room.

His eyes fell on a tall, thin man with dust blond hair and grayish-blue eyes who held his hands up in defense, arguing. “I knew absolutely nothing about this.”

Zeus sighed and looked back down to Adam, dark eyes seeming to spark at him. “You brought back my bolt. I suppose that's all that matters.” He leaned back, slipping the bolt into a holster on the throne. “But I'll be keeping an eye on you, just so you know.”

Adam nodded, then looked back to his father. Poseidon waved him over, and Adam took a few minutes to move across the massive room until he was close. Poseidon smiled at him. “Well done, Adam. I knew you could do this.”

Adam huffed and looked up. “What about Kris?”

Poseidon hummed for a moment, then looked down at the bag still in Adam's hands. “You do have his helm, right?”

When Adam nodded, Poseidon grinned. “Then I'll send him a message to release Kris. He's getting what's his returned, and he knows it's well before Kris's time, anyway.” The god winked at him. “I also discussed things with your mother and she agrees that you're well enough off to protect yourself if you wish to stay with her and her other son in Los Angeles. You can go to the camp during the summer or if things are getting out of hand with your powers, but just know that we'll always be there for you now. At least, as much as I can be, anyway.”

Adam swallowed down the lump rising in his throat and nodded. Then, he remembered his first day back at camp, Kris showing him around and stopping in front of his cabin. “What about...” He bit on his lip a little then sighed. “You never meant to have me, right? All because you aren't allowed to have children?”

Poseidon's smile fell a little and he nodded. “Yes, that's true. However, I don't regret it, Adam. I don't regret you.”

Adam let out a breath, nodding slowly, then glanced up. “So...how do I get back to Hades?”

Poseidon nodded toward the door. “Just go back down and I'll have a ride waiting for you outside. He'll take you right to the entrance to Hades' lair, and as long as you have that pearl, still, you should be free to leave.”

“Alright.” Adam smiled softly. “Thank you.”

Poseidon returned the smile, and bobbed his head. “Just remember that I'll try to talk to you as much as I can, Adam. I do care for you. Remember that.”

With that, Adam left, grinning, and taking the elevator all the way down he left to find that black Pegasus from before waiting for him around the corner in a dark alley with no one else around. He hopped on, and after staying in the air for a few moments he heard another one behind him, and turned to see Matt close behind on another Pegasus, looking sorry, but saying that he wanted to save Kris, too. Adam still didn't quite know how he felt about Matt now, but maybe someday he could forgive him for the lying and leaving him. Right now, though, just getting to Kris is what matters.

It was surprisingly easy as soon as they met Hades. He took the cap with minimal grumbling, and like with Zeus, the cap formed into more of a Roman helm as soon as he touched it. He snapped his fingers and a dark cloud bubbled up a few feet away, and out of it Kris stumbled out, gasping, wide-eyed and looking around wildly.

Adam rushed into Kris, hugging him and just barely stopping him from toppling over, and Hades kicked them out of the throne room, and before anything else could hurt them, Adam pulled out the pearl from his pocket, the others mimicking him, and they were back in L.A.

Kris grinned up at him, now a lot more conscious of what was happening, and squeezed him. “I knew you could do it, Adam.” He leaned up onto his toes to press their mouths together, then he pulled away with a laugh when some of the people on the streets whistled and cheered at them. He shook his head and glanced back up at Adam. “So, back to camp?”

Adam thought about maybe taking Kris to find his mom, but right now, anything with Kris would be better, no matter where they were. “Sure, let's go back.”

10 Years Later

Adam sighed as the warm, ocean water lapped at his skin, washing sand and foam over freckles. He only had a few minutes before he had to start finding his way to the theater for his follow-up audition, but for right now, he just wanted to feel the warm embrace of the water, like comforting arms wrapping all around him.

The alarm on his phone went off and he sighed. Too soon. Way too soon. However, he wanted this; he needed to be at that audition early to make sure he got a chance. With a deep breath, he lingered just a second longer before pulling himself up out of the water-instantly dry thanks to his dad and the powers he'd gotten from him that he was still trying to figure out fully-and made his way back to his car to drive to the theater where the American Idol auditions were.

On the way there, he thought about how much his life had changed in the last ten years. He no longer had to worry about Lea and Cody; since living with his mom and his brother Neil-who thankfully did not have any powers like Adam, or their arguments would be a lot harder to win-the two had disappeared completely from his life, and he couldn't be more thankful for it. After the first few months of living with her, where he was unsure and not trusting, he did learn to like her and now the three of them were a close-knit family, which he never knew he even wanted, but turned out it was amazing to have people that he knew loved him that much.

His father did make sure to talk with him as much as possible, at least once every month, and like living with Leila, it was stilted at first, but now their conversations flowed smoothly. He can spend hours just telling him about everything on an almost phone-like connection just laying there in bed, or out in the pool.

The monster problem was worse when he was younger, but after a few years he just got used to it, and it's mostly things he can handle, which brought his current room mate into his life. And, really, sharing an apartment with Matt isn't that bad, and he spends most of his time with his mom and brother now, anyway.

Then there was Kris. Adam frowned slightly; he lost contact with Kris about five years ago. He went back to the camp for the last time, and Kris was just leaving, saying he was going back to Arkansas to finally see his dad and brother again. They were trying to keep their relationship together long distance, but they eventually just stopped calling each other when their conversations kept getting cut off by monster attacks.

He sighed and pulled into a parking space a ways down the street from the theater, and he walked inside. It was already pretty crowded, considering how early he was, and he moved down the aisle to the front row.

Adam settled in one of the seats, not paying attention to whoever was sitting next to him, and checked his number that he'd gotten when he walked in. He was just going to lean back and close his eyes to get back to that relaxed place he was at in the water when a familiar voice spoke up right next to him. “Adam?”

He opened his eyes and turned, then broke into a huge smile. “Kris?”

Brown eyes gleamed at him and he smiled crookedly at Adam, still looking cute and pretty as ever. He stood up, Adam following, and squeezed him into a huge hug. Adam felt warm, happy, holding Kris in his arms again. Much too soon, Kris pulled back and grinned at him. “Never would've thought I'd see you here.”

Adam shook his head. “Yeah, same here. Not that it's a bad thing.”

Kris smirked. “Oh no, not a bad thing at all.” He leaned up onto his tip toes to whisper into Adam's ear. “Now let's just hope they room us together if we both get through.”

Adam nodded, grinned as they settled back down as names started getting called.

They both got through, and then after that, they both got roomed together.

They weren't exactly expecting the Kradam thing, though. Not that they're complaining about that, either. “They aren't exactly wrong about us.” Kris panted as they parted, lips making a smacking sound in the room, then he grinned. “I like it, too. It's catchy.”

Adam watched Kris lick his crooked lips, then crawled over him again. “I'll give you catchy.” He muttered before diving back in to claim Kris' mouth again, and again and again. About half an hour later, they separated again, and just to make himself clear, Adam pulled back to stare into Kris' eyes. “We are not ever going to lose each other again. Ever.”

Kris grinned and tugged Adam back down. “I was planning on staying in L.A. after this, anyway, so...we can stay attached to the hip until you get sick of me. Or...” He smirked and waggled his eyebrows. “Attached in someway, if you get my-mmph.” Kris curled his arms around Adam's shoulders and melted into the bed. Kris was so damn dorky... but he was never, ever going to let his dork go again.

“Love you, too, Seakin-mmmmmphmm.”

Adam pulled back with a smack and glared playfully down at Kris. “Less talking, more kissing.”

Kris grinned. “Now that, I can fully agree wi-mmthmmm.”